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pane of glass and taken a loaf of bread.
Room for a brief parenthesis. This is the second time,
during his studies on the penal question and damnation by
law, that the author of this book has come across the theft
of a loaf of bread as the point of departure for the disaster
of a destiny. Claude Gaux had stolen a loaf; Jean Valjean
had stolen a loaf. English statistics prove the fact that four
thefts out of five in London have hunger for their immedi-
ate cause.
Jean Valjean had entered the galleys sobbing and shud-
dering; he emerged impassive. He had entered in despair; he
emerged gloomy.
What had taken place in that soul?